Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a closed-door meeting with Likud municipal leaders that if the security situation prevents the party from holding primaries, the Likud’s Knesset candidate list would instead be determined by a special organizing committee.

The remarks come amid an internal dispute within Likud over Netanyahu’s proposed reserved slots on the party list. Critics, including MK David Bitan, argue the proposal undermines the party’s internal democratic process, while party officials say the comments may be aimed at increasing pressure on Likud’s Constitution Committee ahead of a delayed vote on the issue.

If the organizing committee option is ultimately adopted, it would mark a significant change in how Likud selects its Knesset slate and could further intensify internal tensions within the party ahead of the upcoming elections.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)